MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum of high school education or equivalent.
• Previous patient care experience preferable, but not essential.
• Successful completion of 14 hours of basic orientation training that includes: patient rights and facility procedures; confidentiality laws of client records; incident reporting; seclusion and restraint restrictions; abuse reporting; assessment for past or current sexual, psychological, or physical abuse or trauma; substance abuse cross training; clinical risk and competency assessment; infection control; crisis prevention, intervention, and crisis duration services; DSM-IV overview; and Baker Act overview (prior to providing direct care or assessment services).
• Completion of Techniques for Effective Aggression Management (within six months of hiring). Completion of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Basic First Aid training (within six months of hiring). Completion of two hours of HIV/AIDS education (within 30 days of hiring) and two hours of HIV/AIDS information (biennially).

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None.

WAGE AND HOUR STATUS: Non-exempt

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Essential functions of this position are listed below. The position also includes additional functions as needed and/or assigned by supervisor.)

• Attend report at change of shift to ensure continuity of patient care.
• Obtain report from departing Mental Health Technician regarding the cooperation, mood, behavior of your assigned patients. Note the time of last vital signs of detox patients with particular attention to those with abnormal findings to ensure continued monitoring as indicated.
• Walk rounds at change of shift with departing Mental Health Technician for safety. Ensure all doors designated to be locked are locked and functional.
• Check physical condition of assigned patients.
• Accompany RN to Seclusion Room to witness search of patients at admission.
• Itemize and record all personal belongings on Inventory Log.
• Provide medication to the RN who will count/store them in the Medication Room.
• Store patient clothing and valuables. Ensure that all checked property is returned at the time of discharge from unit. Obtain patient signature for return of belongings.
• Enter pertinent information into Admission/Discharge log after admission has been completed or patient leaves the unit on discharge.
• Transport patient to other facilities/destinations outside the Life Management Center by means of agency van including Bay Medical Center, Greyhound Bus Station, out of county in the event of evacuation, etc.
• Collect charts, record, and report from health care resources for nursing such as the Records Room, Doctors Office, staff assistant, or Discharge Planner.
• Orient new patients to the unit. Explain daily routine and introduce them to other staff and patients as appropriate.
• Greet visitors and escort them to and from the unit.
• Explain contraband restrictions. Request that all purses, wallets, bags and food items be returned to their car while visiting. (Car keys may be kept at desk until visit has ended. Ensure that each visitor is escorted through the metal detector.
• Add clothing or other items to inventory sheet as applicable. If visitors take possession of patient’s personal property, the patient must initial the original Inventory Log acknowledging each item that has been returned to the visitor.
• Take and record vital signs, temperature, pulse, blood pressure and respiration in the medical records.
• Report abnormal findings to the charge nurse. Repeats V/S as requested by the charge nurse or indicated by Doctor Order or Protocol.
• Monitor mealtimes, snacks, and other patient activities.
• Maintain graphic forms for patients, i.e. percentage of meal eaten, group attendance, sleep record, etc.
• Complete chart audits as assigned.
• Prepare charts/paperwork for new admissions. Make copies as needed. (Ensure most current version of form is being used to make copies.)
• Serve as unit clerk by entering admission/discharge information obtained by RN’s into Avatar computer system.
• Interact with your assigned patients daily. Know your assigned patients by name and spend at least 15 minutes daily with them.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living such as doing their laundry changing linen, gathering toiletries for showering (standing an arm’s length away when they are shaving) with Encourage independence. Encourage patients to help pick up the dayroom. Clear the dining room table of used dining utensils.
• Collect and bag soiled linen each shift.
• Stores clean linen when delivered.
• Maintain a safe clean therapeutic environment by performing unit specific assignments each shift: break room, day room, laundry room ice/coffee room, nurses’ station, linen closets, and examination room and cafeteria.
• Document daily Refrigerator Temperature Log for staff refrigerator at 7:00 A.M.. Clean weekly and defrost refrigerator on the 15th of every month. Day shift will do Odd number months (Jan.,-1, March- 3, May- 5,,etc.) Evening shift will do even number months (Feb.-, 2 April -,4 June- 6). Night shift will be responsible for the cleanliness of patient refrigerator monthly
• Read and understand all policies and procedures on Nursing Unit. Request clarification on those not understood from your Supervisor.
• Complete assigned Continued Learning Courses assigned.
• Understand role in patient emergencies and in responding to fires, hurricanes, tornadoes and other emergencies.
• Report patient behavior to charge nurse and other members of the health care team.
• Report any change in mental status, emotional or mood change. Document changes in patient record as directed by charge nurse.
• Assist with 1:1 observation of patient when assigned.
• Attend at least 70% of designated meetings.
• Assist with seclusion and restraint procedures.
• Make patient rounds on unit.
• Perform Housekeeping duties when housekeeper is unavailable.
• Participate in therapeutic recreation activities daily and on weekends.
• Ensure that patients are aware of programmed activities and encourage participation in scheduled activities.
• Provide a positive role model for patients and initiate structured and unstructured activities with patients when not participating in programmed activities.

Physical Demands:

• Must have satisfactory health, stamina, and strength, as the position necessitates frequent walking, standing, sitting, lifting, and assisting with the restrain of patients when necessary for the safety of the patient and/or others.
• Good Range of Motion is needed for TEAM Techniques and to quickly intervene in emergency situations.
• Must have satisfactory vision and hearing to adequately and efficiently perform the requirements of the position. Must have the agility and coordination to participate in-group activities.
• Must be willing and able to assist in protecting patients from harming themselves and/or others in emergency situations.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Day shift
• Night shift
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Work Location: In person